ERC Fraud Investigations Ramp Up. This might go down as one of the most fraud-wrought tax programs Congress has ever deployed.
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Yesterday (Nov 2nd), the IRS presented a free webinar providing updates on the ERC program.
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In a news release announcing the webinar, they stated publicly that they’ve uncovered more than $8B (yes BILLION with a B) in suspected ERC fraud, but a preview of other statistics by Jim Lee, deputy chief of Criminal Investigations with the IRS, have put that fraud number at $37B.
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Congress initially estimated the entire program would cost around $55B. It now has paid out $230B - if the $37B of projected fraud is accurate, that’s a 16% fraud rate.
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The IRS has initiated investigations into over 300 ERC cases, with 15 currently charged, and four sentences with an average of 21 months of prison time.
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There is also talk that the voluntarily withdrawal program (for those who haven’t received funds or received them and didn’t cash the check) might have a very tight window and only be available until January 2024.
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Anytime there is lots of free money up for grabs, there is going to be fraud. The unfortunate part is a lot of this could have been mitigated if the IRS had set out clearer guidelines around who was eligible for the credit
Avoid the headache and hire an educated professional: 808.546.5026 ext. 303 or info@verity.cpa!